Someone could be preparing a trip to your home this Christmas – and it’s not just Santa coming down the chimney.
The festive season can be a busy time for burglaries, with thieves hoping to find expensive gifts under the tree or families away visiting relatives leaving an empty house.
But is there anywhere in the UK that should be particuarly concerned?
For the residents of County Down, it’s good news, as they had the lowest rate of burglaries reported since 2021.
But those living in Edgbaston, Solihull, or Herne Hill might want to double check their doors are locked before going to bed.
MoneySupermarket Insurance analysed millions of home insurance quotes to find the UK postcode areas with the highest and lowest rates of burglary claims between the start of 2021 and the end of 2023.
Here are the Top 50 postcodes analysed, which show London and Birmingham particularly busy for burglaries.
They published an interactive comparison tool for people to check how their postcode compares, and also released lists of the top 50 for most and least burgled.
Postcode areas with fewer than 300 enquiries (an average of 100 a year) were not considered, but otherwise the study includes the whole UK.
Birmingham’s B15 postcode district was the UK’s burglary hotspot with 49.77 claims per 1,000 quotes, while the BT23 postcode in Northern Ireland had the lowest burglary rate with just 0.69 for every 1,000 quotes.
To avoid being part of the stats, the insurance company offered these tips to reduce the risk of burglary this season:
1. Keep gifts ‘under wraps’
Don’t leave any presents on view, especially if your tree is visible from the window which can attract attention.
2. Pause before you post
Be mindful of what you share on social media, particularly when it comes to expensive gifts or travel plans that could let people know your home is unoccupied.
3. Lock it up
Double-check that doors and windows are locked, and if you have one, set your burglar alarm every time you leave your home.
4. Step up your security
Consider installing security cameras and automatic sensor lights to help deter opportunistic thieves.
5. Light it up
Keep your house looking lively and give the illusion that someone is home by using timers or smart home solutions for both inside and outside lights.
6. Break it down
Dismantle boxes and packaging and dispose of them as soon as possible. Lots of large packaging left outside might alert potential burglars to a house full of new and valuable items.
7. Cut the cord
Avoid powering external lights by threading cables through open windows by using battery or solar-powered lights instead.
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